Scottish Poetry Library
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
A quiet corner off the Royal Mile where kids can dig into a children's book collection and some toys, free to wander round.
This isn't a bells-and-whistles kids' attraction, it's a proper library that happens to welcome children warmly. There's a children's area with some toys and a children's book collection, so a younger one can potter about while you browse the shelves. It won't fill an afternoon, but as a calm half hour tucked in near the Royal Mile it does the job nicely.
Opening hours are short, Monday to Thursday, 10am to 3pm, so this isn't a spontaneous Saturday plan, you'll need to build it round the week. Getting in costs nothing and you don't need to book, just turn up during those hours and walk in. Kids do need an adult with them at all times, which is fair enough in a library full of books, but worth knowing if you were hoping to drop them off and browse in peace elsewhere.
Parking is the genuine faff here. Crichton's Close outside is double yellow lines, so it's blue badge only if you want to actually leave the car, though you can pull up and unload quickly. Everyone else is looking at nearby car parks like Dynamic Earth or Waverley Station long stay, which means a bit of a walk with small legs in tow. There's no café on site either, but there are a few dotted around nearby if a poetry session leaves someone hungry.
If your child struggles with reading, it's worth knowing the library holds dyslexia-friendly lesson plans and poems in Scots, plus a set of Children's Verses resources. That's more useful for a school project than a rainy day out, but good to have filed away.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Blue badge holders can park on Crichton's Close
- Opening hours are short, Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm, so it's not a weekend option
- Kids must be accompanied by an adult the whole visit
- There's free wifi but no computers for internet use
- Dyslexia-friendly lesson plans and Scots poems are there for school projects, not just casual browsing
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Yes, completely free, and you can even register to borrow books while you're there.
Do we need to book ahead?
Just turn up during opening hours and walk in. If you want to dig into their special collection though, it's worth giving them a shout first so they can get things ready.
Is there parking nearby?
Parking is genuinely tight. Crichton's Close right outside is double yellow lines and blue badge only, so most people end up parking further off at somewhere like Dynamic Earth or Waverley Station and walking in.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Nothing on site, so bring snacks or plan to grab something at one of the cafes nearby afterwards.
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